I truly enjoy going through my fused glass pieces and giving them a little extra charm by adding decals. It’s such a fun and creative way to elevate a piece and make it even more meaningful. Here’s one of my recent favorites—it’s both beautiful and uplifting. I started with a soft ivory glass base, then added frit, colorful murrine, and even a big, cheerful ladybug. The highlight, though, is the decal: a delicate cluster of daisies accompanied by the words “Grow through what you go through.” I’ve always loved motivational sayings, and this one felt especially powerful. I added my glass onto a votive holder, turning it into a thoughtful gift—perfect for yourself or someone who could use a little encouragement.
Keeping with the theme of motivation and inspiration, I’ve always been drawn to the Serenity Prayer. I had a beautiful gold decal with the full prayer and knew I wanted to create something special with it. I started with a rich green piece of glass, added a bit of frit for texture, and carefully applied the decal. At first, I couldn’t decide whether to turn it into a nightlight or a votive holder—but in the end, I chose a votive. It’s the kind of piece that can be placed anywhere you need a little peace and reflection, whether on a desk, a bedside table, or tucked into a cozy reading nook.
These next four pieces are a little different, but just as meaningful. The first two are made using hand-painted glass, which adds a unique, one-of-a-kind background for each decal. One features a Celtic Tree of Life decal—symbolic, intricate, and grounding. The other is a detailed sugar skull, rich with tradition and personality. The next dish is a vibrant blue with a stained-glass window decal; I love the organic shape of this dish. The last piece I used a beautiful transparent yellow glass, enhanced with another sugar skull decal. All four are small, fused glass dishes—perfect for holding jewelry, coins, or serving as eye-catching accent pieces around the home.
This next piece of glass had been sitting in my studio for a while—beautiful on its own, but I felt like something was missing. Then I came across this playful owl decal with the saying “Who gives a hoot?” and knew it was the perfect match! The contrast of the bold black design against the textured glass really brought it to life. Of course, I finished it off as a votive—because everything’s better with a cozy glow. Sometimes it just takes one little detail to transform a piece from good to great.
This next decal is especially dear to me—it not only holds its color beautifully through the firing process, but it also has a subtle touch of gold that adds a hint of luxury. I paired it with a gorgeous piece of deep purple glass, which really makes the design pop. The combination felt so rich and elegant, I decided to turn it into a nightlight. Now it casts a soft, comforting glow—perfect for adding both beauty and inspiration to any space.
Of course, I didn’t just focus on larger home décor pieces—I also made a few pendants! Sometimes the simplest pieces are the most fun to design. Here are just a couple of my newest creations, each featuring a decal that adds that perfect little touch of personality. Whether it’s an inspiring word or a tiny piece of art, decals work wonderfully on jewelry too and make each pendant feel special and one-of-a-kind.
Using decals in my fused glass work adds another layer of meaning, beauty, and sometimes even a bit of fun. Whether it’s a motivational quote, a symbol rich with tradition, or a whimsical design, decals help transform each piece into something truly unique. I love how they let me tell a story or evoke a feeling—all through glass. I hope you’ve enjoyed this little glimpse into my latest decal-enhanced creations! If one of these pieces speaks to you or you’d like to try using decals in your own fused glass, feel free to reach out. I’d love to create with you or help you find the perfect piece for yourself or someone special.
If you would like to see more of my fused glass work, please refer to my website Elegant Fused Glass by Karen. If you get a chance, check out all my sites, my Art fire Store, and my Elegant Fused Glass by Karen YouTube. If you would like to stay abreast of what I’m up-to and learn a little more about jewelry, check out our newsletter. It is published the last day of each month
Keeping my kiln warm,
Karen
